Marching on...

We still have a bit of snow on the ground.  It was a close call yesterday when a snowy fog crept up the valley.  Much to our joy it got to our cabin and went back down.  We went for a drive out on the prairie.  Then I spent the afternoon working on my quilt and bottling my hard apple cider.  I ended up with 19 small bottles.  Even though I made both batches exactly the same, one batch is lighter colored. 

It has been in the 30's and 40's so I went out to get the greenhouse going.  I loosened up the soil.  Planted my chamomile in the washtub.  I put a few carrot and Swiss chard seeds in the ground.   The spinach and parsley still looks good.  I watered everything and tidied up a bit.  My husband did a little Bonnie hunting.  Dad in case you haven't noticed, the hat does a great job of hiding my face from sneaky photographers. 



I remember what it was like when I started blogging.  I compared it to fishing.  I was so excited for my first bite.  If you get a chance swing by this new blog Twin Bridges Nature Resort http://twinbridgesnatureresort.blogspot.com/
Our parents are good friends and we are lucky enough to have some of her father's artwork in our cabin. 

I hope your March is also working it's way to spring.
 
 

Something old is new again from the auction...

Going a little stir crazy here.  There was a nasty cold wind yesterday and there is too much snow to do anything outside.  We decided the best way to spend the day was at the auction. 

There was a huge collection of advertising crocks being sold.  I fell in love with the Wildman Grocery.  Isn't that the greatest name for a grocery store?  It was a very early store in Rapid City. 

My husband wanted this sign and we were lucky enough to get it.  He had it up five minutes after we got in the door.  He remembers these trains going through his town as a kid.  NorthWestern was employee owned from 1972-1975.  I love how well it reflected the light when I took the picture. 




The mirror/thermometer below was our real prize.  We both really liked it.  It works well with our cabin decor. 

 

 

That was our excitement for the weekend.  Today is going to be a quiet day of quilting and my long run.  I will be glad when the weather warms up and I can start running outside again.  Ella misses running with me.  Oh, I suppose I should do a little house cleaning also.   Hope everyone else had a productive weekend.

today was a beautiful day...

Life is full of ups and downs.  Usually it seems like more downs than ups, so it is important to appreciate the good days. 

Today started with my husband getting a clean bill of health from the doctor.  A big relief.   We celebrated by spending a very fun day together filled with laughter. 

Then the day ended with a wonderful call from my brother.  He has never been able to see my blog, but yesterday he got my blog book in the mail.  He called today to tell me.  We had a great visit about people and places.  It meant the world to me to be able to share my work with him.

Today was a beautiful day indeed!

 

the view from the porch...

Well, spring may be getting closer.  It was warm enough that Ella and I were able to enjoy morning coffee on the porch.

 

 I am loving every second of it.  It is a virtual symphony of chickadees, blue jays, and one very upset hawk.  I have never seen as many chickadees as we have had this year.  I would guess there are more than 50 visiting my feeders.  They are not used to me being on the porch and I have had a couple of close fly-bys. 

The fresh air smells of rain, but it is bittersweet as snow is what is forecasted for tonight.  I found a pine cone in the snow and Ella is laying on my feet happily chewing away.  Not before we played a few rounds of pine cone catch mind you.  The snow is still about 2 feet deep in parts of the yard. 
I wandered over to my greenhouse to see how the plants are faring.  The spinach looks great, but the lettuce may not have the head start I was hoping for.

The lettuce isn't looking very perky.  It may not recover.  I watered everything and will keep my fingers crossed.  I did enjoy just standing there in my robe smelling the warm earth. 

 

Other than that things are quiet here.  I made some Honey Wheat Bread yesterday and slaved on my quilt.  I am hoping to finish quilting this morning.  I also have my Sunday run.  I am hoping to compete in the Michelson Trail Half Marathon in June.  I will do attempt 9 miles today.  I'm tired just thinking about it.  I hope the weather is warm in your neck of the woods.  Thanks for enjoying my 1st morning on the porch in quite a while.








 

It may seem like it, but my hands haven't been idle...

I'm a tad slow on the blogging.  One reason is my camera batteries died last week.  Although I love blogging and taking pictures, I'm not making a special trip anywhere for batteries.  It just had to wait.  Also I have been a bit preoccupied with my quilt project.  I am in the middle of  quilting, but thought I'd show my progress.  I am using the quilting foot on my sewing machine for the first time.  It has been a learning experience.  Luckily I've had some good advice from the ladies at the quilt shop. 

I promise I haven't been idle.  I hope everyone else has been able to stay busy and keep their minds off of this last few months of winter.  My goal is to be done before April 1st.

Winter wandering...

Today was a beautiful day for a walk so,  snowshoes in hand, out the door Ella and I went.  We haven't had the most wonderful walking weather on the weekends and Ella was ready for a winter wander.

The only problem was we have had a lot of snow.  I don't think this was quite what Ella had hoped for.  She huffed.

Poor Ella also puffed.

In the end, she decided a wander in the woods wasn't wise.  It was more like work.

Of course, the return trip was much easier and Ella couldn't wait to get back so she could melt off the snow by the fire and take a nap.  She couldn't understand why I was taking forever.

 

We did enjoy our winter wandering despite the work.

My Mom's idle hands...

This title is a bit of a misnomer. Farm/Ranch women never really have idle hands. One of my strongest memories of Mom is her sitting in the living room on the night shift of calf watch. She would crochet baby blankets and then check the heifers every hour.  She could turn out the most beautiful blanket in only a few days. 

 She is known for her baby blankets.  They are made of soft flannel and she crochets the most intricate edges.  I regret not paying better attention when she tried to teach me. 

 I did pay attention when she taught me how to make quilts.  This is one of her quilts.  It is made from used jeans (something that is plentiful on a ranch) and the brands are all family brands. 

Those are some examples of what Mom did with her 'idle' hands.  Mom was able to create something useful and beautiful with her 'down' time.  I admire her talent and many a baby was kept warm and safe wrapped in her creations.








We haven't found Nemo here, but we are getting some pretty strong winds and snow.  I hope everyone is warm and safe.